STAND ALONE STORIES.“But I hate to hear you talking so, like a fine gentleman, and as if women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days.” —PERSUASION Jane Austen: True romantic or rational creature? Her novels transport us back to the Regency, a time when well-mannered gentlemen and finely-bred ladies fell in love as they danced … love as they danced at balls and rode in carriages. Yet her heroines, such as Elizabeth Bennet, Anne Elliot, and Elinor Dashwood, were no swooning, fainthearted damsels in distress. Austen’s novels have become timeless classics because of their biting wit, honest social commentary, and because she wrote of strong women who were ahead of their day. True to their principles and beliefs, they fought through hypocrisy and broke social boundaries to find their happily-ever-after.
In the third romance anthology of The Quill Collective series, sixteen celebrated Austenesque authors write the untold histories of Austen’s brave adventuresses, her shy maidens, her talkative spinsters, and her naughty matrons. Peek around the curtain and discover what made Lady Susan so wicked, Mary Crawford so capricious, and Hettie Bates so in need of Emma Woodhouse’s pity.
RATIONAL CREATURES is a collection of humorous, poignant, and engaging love stories set in Georgian England that complement and pay homage to Austen’s great works and great ladies who were, perhaps, the first feminists in an era that was not quite ready for feminism. “Make women rational creatures, and free citizens, and they will become good wives; —that is, if men do not neglect the duties of husbands and fathers.” —Mary Wollstonecraft
Stories by: Elizabeth Adams * Nicole Clarkston * Karen M Cox * J. Marie Croft * Amy D’Orazio * Jenetta James * Jessie Lewis * KaraLynne Mackrory * Lona Manning * Christina Morland * Beau North * Sophia Rose * Anngela Schroeder * Joana Starnes * Caitlin Williams * Edited by Christina Boyd * Foreword by Devoney Looser
MATURE CONTENT RATING as per EDITOR
ALL STORIES CONTAINED HEREIN HAVE A HEAT INDEX RATING OF 1-3.
(1) None: affection and possible kissing
(2) Mild: kissing
(3) Moderate: some sexual references but not explicit
more
Book 3 in ‘The Quill Collective’: Rational Creatures: Stirrings of Feminism in the Hearts of Jane Austen’s Fine Ladies:
Rating: with a dozen stories, each has its own rating and they were conveniently posted so the reader had a choice as to whether they wanted to read it or not. That was pretty cool. They were listed as follows: 1) None: affection and possible kissing, 2) Mild: kissing, 3) Moderate: some sexual references but not explicit
These authors are the best and when they get together and collaborate on a collection of short stories, you know you are in for a treat. Christina Boyd knows her writers well and only she can draw out of them their best work. I was amazed at the creative bent many of the stories took. Not all of Austen’s books are my favorite; however, the different twist our authors took, drew me into the story even though I was determined to not like it. Nefarious creatures, authors. I highly recommend this collection and have personally purchased all the books for my own library.
The other books in the Quill Collective are:
Book 1: The Darcy Monologues
Book 2: Dangerous to Know
Book 3: Rational Creatures
Book 4: Yuletide
Book 5: Elizabeth: Obstinate Headstrong Girl
I’ve always enjoyed reading any and all of the books from Jane Austin and when some of the female characters you tend to overlook have their moments. I did enjoy all of those shared moments in each short story. I really enjoyed reading this book and it will one of those that I can read again and still find something new every time
An anthology containing stories about 16 of the ladies in Jane Austen’s work,
filling in some blanks that Austen did not elaborate. There were moments that made me shiver in trepidation, some that tug severely on my heart strings while others made me laugh out loud. This exquisite collection of authors, allowed me to connect with the characters and provided hours of fabulous entertainment.
Heartily recommend this book!
Self-composed, Christina Moreland, Elinor Dashwood’s story: I instantly connected with the characters in this story. Exquisitely written story of what goes on in Elinor’s head, in addition to some tender interludes with Edward and her family. 5*
Every Past Affliction, Nicole Clarkstone.
Marianne Dashwood’s story: Entered when Marianne was recovering from her illness.
Loved being inside Marianne’s head and watch her perception of Colonel Brandon change. Lovely development of her character, describd with an almost brutal honesty as she comes to terms with her own fallibility.
Ended in a tender and romantic moment.
5*
Happiness in Marriage, Amy D’Orazio.
Elizabeth Bennet’s story: Entered with a conversation between the two eldest Bennet sisters, two nights before the Netherfield ball, that made me shiver in trepidation in one moment and laugh out loud in the next.
Then the story ventured to Rosings before ending in a deliciously romantic moment at Longbourn. 5*
Charlotte’s Comfort, Joana Starnes
Charlotte Lucas story: Loved Starnes explanation for why Charlotte settled for only prudence in her marriage while she was reflecting on her choices in life. It was humorously bent and one can easily perceive why Charlotte was such a good friend to Elizabeth.
I got to see Mr Darcy and Elizabeth’s Easter visit through Charlotte’s eyes, got an answer to a question I have pondered on from the latter part of canon and a lovely peak into what happened after canon ended. 5*
Knightly Discourses, Anngela Schroeder. Emma Woodhouse’s story:
Years into her marriage, one might think Emma’s matchmaking days to be over and be utterly wrong… The best laid plans often goes awry and she soon finds herself with bigger issues at the arrival of some competition for Knightly’s attention. Nail-bitingly thrilling and deliciously emotional story, intersped with tender, loving moments between Mr and Mrs Knightly. Sigh… 5*
The Simple Things, J. Marie Croft
Hetty Bates story: The scatterbrained (her own words) miss Bates, failed to draw me in as she reflected on a rejected marriage proposal, of times gone by and an old romance. The ending was genius though. 3*
In Good Hands, Caitlin Williams
Harriet Smith’s story: Miss Smith was sent, post haste to the Knightly’s in London with an aching tooth, which happened to coincide with the engagement of a certain Emma Woodhouse to Mr Knightly.
An engaging story that ended very romantically. 5*
The Meaning of Wife, Brook West.
Fanny Price’s story: Edmund Bertram did nothing to endear himself in my eyes, what a proposal! Certainly left Fanny with a lot to contemplate. He did redeem himself nicely though. 4*
What Strange Creatures, Jenetta James.
Mary Crawfords story: A mystery, where Mary’s friend Verity goes missing and Mary aids the intriguing magistrate, Mr Hunter. 4,5*
An Unnatural Beginning, Elizabeth Adams.
Anne Elliot’s story: A prequel to Persuasion. Anne, her suitors and the persuasive Lady Russell. Heart-rendering 5*
Where the Sky Touches the Sea, KaraLynne Mackroy.
Sophia Croft’s story: A beautiful and emotional tale of one of the marriages, Austen described as happy. 5*
The art of pleasing, Lona Manning.
Penelope Clay’s story: Thrilling story on what goes on in the mind of a deceiver. 5*
Louisa by the Sea, Beau North
Louisa Musgrove’s story: Exquisitely written romance, between Louisa and Captain Benwick after her accident in Lyme. 5*
The Strength of Their Attachment, Sophia Rose
Catherine Moreland’s story: Thrilling story where Catherine’s brother James had gotten himself into quite the peril and was aided by his sister. Ends in tender, loving moment between Catherine and Henry. 5*
A Nominal Mistress, Karen M Cox
Eleanor Tilney’s story: I adored this rendition of Eleanor and Jacob’s courtship and first days of marriage, funny and utterly romantic. 5*
The Edification of Lady Susan, Jessie Lewis.
Lady Susan Vernon’s story: How Lady Susan Beaumont became Lady Vernon, it was a tangled web for sure… Cleverly written banter, in letter form. 4*
These Austenesque authors brought their a-game for this anthology about Austen’s strong women who perhaps were protofeminist in an era not quite ready for feminism.
The meaning of ‘rational’ from the Oxford Dictionary: “Able to think sensibly or logically.”
The title of this collection completely captures the essence of each of the characters beautifully rendered within its pages. The sixteen talented authors have written compelling and empowering short stories that touch the soul with poignancy, grace and realism. In a time when women had few rights, some were able to break the barriers. Choices for women were extremely limited. However, circumstances of birth, experiences or decisions these women faced or made, have shaped them. Some may have tempered their passions, but they still burned strong. Their view of life was not through rose-coloured glasses.
“At his own peril does a man underestimate a woman’s mind.” (quote from the book)
To pick a favourite would be difficult, as I loved them all. Each author brought a deeper perspective to each of their characters. They are written with compassion, insight and humour. Some brought me to tears and others had me chuckling or cheering with them. The overall intimacy conveyed made this such a satisfying read.
Each story is beautifully written and there were so many quotes that jumped off the pages. However, I highly recommend you embark on your own journey through this amazing collection to find your own.
loved the different voices, perspectives
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 5 out of 5 stars
Each story had its own unique appeal. Each one made a connection to you in a different way and allowed you to connect to each set(s) of characters with a different kind of charm, wit, and beauty from a time where romance was not the norm but almost a duty. Each of the stories gives you a taste of the something deeper in the world(s) of Jane Austen.
Victoria Riley did a fantastic job narrating each for the era and each story. She had the type of voice that could carry off the time period. VR gave a sense of authentic Georgian England with the pitch, tone, and diction. Of course this would have been no good if she didn’t pull off the English accent both refined and not so refined. It was a pleasure getting to know more of the various characters from various setting of Austen’s worlds.
A great take on the main & lesser female Austen characters – introspective from the minds of many solid authors – thought provoking for women then and now. Superb compelling storytelling from most. The best are the ones that show and not tell/preach how the female mind should think/develop. The stories that reach deep down into the female heart and inspire almost without the reader aware. They stay with you and reach into your own soul to ponder. Stand outs in that vein were the stories wove around Elinor, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Ann, and Sophia Croft. But head and shoulders above was Nicole’s handling of the emergence of Marianne. The way you seamlessly wove in the philosophers and poetry of this time period was powerful – to mark Marianne’s growth into womanhood – not just mentally but her whole self. It was not just a romance towards the Colonel – but towards herself. It was beautiful to read and watch. Your love for this character just shone out – as did all the time and care and research you put into this story. Thank you Nicole. ThankYou ladies – book club worthy
Rational Creatures is the preeminent collection of Jane Austen’s best women characters. Feminist and forward-thinking, just like Jane Austen herself, each character’s story is well-thought-out and carefully crafted. Curated using the best writers in the genre, great thought went into each characterization to deliver stories every well-read Janeite will treasure and love.